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Joseph Swensen|Ring Odyssey

Ring Odyssey

Joseph Swensen and Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine

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Various attempts have been made over the years to condense the 16-hour bulk of Wagner's cycle of four Ring operas to concert length. Even Wagner himself, needing money, took a shot at it. Generally, this involves vocal greatest hits or instrumental excerpts, but this one, from the Orchestre National de Bordeaux Aquitaine and conductor Joseph Swensen, is more unusual in mixing the two. The program is devised by Swensen, who sticks to Wagner's notes except for a few percussion strokes. Does it work as an introduction to the Ring? One might note that the booklet, although it includes texts, doesn't have any kind of summary of what is going on in these operas, something that might be useful for newcomers. There are three singers, Christiane Libor, Michael Weinius, and Derek Walton, covering a total of six roles, and all are competent Wagnerians, although the conductor and orchestra lack the flash of groups more central to the tradition. The best feature is that Swensen does capture the dynamic of this giant artwork, at least insofar as it is possible to do so, while eliminating 87 percent of it. He sacrifices some of the vocal "greatest hits" (there is no "Liebestod," for example) in favor of instrumental-vocal combinations that suggest the scope of the thing, and this will be good for new listeners. Many of the act Preludes are included, and they are followed by pieces that seem to pick up the action, so to speak. Sample the Act III Prelude of Siegfried and Brünnhilde's subsequent "Ewig war ich" romantic number for an idea. The sound from the orchestra's own Auditorium de Bordeaux is clear enough, and listeners without days to invest in the Ring Cycle may wish to check this out. The album made classical best-seller lists in the autumn of 2024.

© James Manheim /TiVo

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Ring Odyssey

Joseph Swensen

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1
Das Rheingold, WWV 86A, Scene 1: Prelude - Song of the Rhine Maidens (Reworked by Joseph Swensen)
Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine
00:05:09

Richard Wagner, Composer - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher - Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine, Orchestra, MainArtist - Joseph Swensen, Conductor, Arranger, MainArtist - Didier Martin, AAndRAdministrator, ExecutiveProducer - Marion Bénet, RecordingEngineer, SoundEditor - Louise Burel, Producer - Robin Rieuvernet, MixingEngineer

2024 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France 2024 Opéra National de Bordeaux

2
Das Rheingold, WWV 86A, Scene 1: Alberich Renounces the Power of Love, Seizes the Rheingold and Forges the Ring (Reworked by Joseph Swensen)
Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine
00:02:16

Richard Wagner, Composer - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher - Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine, Orchestra, MainArtist - Joseph Swensen, Conductor, Arranger, MainArtist - Didier Martin, AAndRAdministrator, ExecutiveProducer - Marion Bénet, RecordingEngineer, SoundEditor - Louise Burel, Producer - Robin Rieuvernet, MixingEngineer

2024 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France 2024 Opéra National de Bordeaux

3
Das Rheingold, WWV 86A, Scene 2: Valhalla, Castle of the Gods (Reworked by Joseph Swensen)
Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine
00:01:30

Richard Wagner, Composer - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher - Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine, Orchestra, MainArtist - Joseph Swensen, Conductor, Arranger, MainArtist - Didier Martin, AAndRAdministrator, ExecutiveProducer - Marion Bénet, RecordingEngineer, SoundEditor - Louise Burel, Producer - Robin Rieuvernet, MixingEngineer

2024 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France 2024 Opéra National de Bordeaux

4
Das Rheingold, WWV 86A, Scene 2: Wotan and Loge Descend into the Nibelheim (Reworked by Joseph Swensen)
Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine
00:01:42

Richard Wagner, Composer - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher - Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine, Orchestra, MainArtist - Joseph Swensen, Conductor, Arranger, MainArtist - Didier Martin, AAndRAdministrator, ExecutiveProducer - Marion Bénet, RecordingEngineer, SoundEditor - Louise Burel, Producer - Robin Rieuvernet, MixingEngineer

2024 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France 2024 Opéra National de Bordeaux

5
Das Rheingold, WWV 86A, Scene 4: Donner Summons the Thunderstorm to Reveal Valhalla (Reworked by Joseph Swensen)
Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine
00:01:54

Richard Wagner, Composer - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher - Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine, Orchestra, MainArtist - Joseph Swensen, Conductor, Arranger, MainArtist - Didier Martin, AAndRAdministrator, ExecutiveProducer - Marion Bénet, RecordingEngineer, SoundEditor - Louise Burel, Producer - Robin Rieuvernet, MixingEngineer

2024 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France 2024 Opéra National de Bordeaux

6
Die Walküre, WWV 86B, Act I: Prelude - Thunderstorm, Sieglinde offers Shelter to Siegmund (Reworked by Joseph Swensen)
Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine
00:03:35

Richard Wagner, Composer - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher - Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine, Orchestra, MainArtist - Joseph Swensen, Conductor, Arranger, MainArtist - Didier Martin, AAndRAdministrator, ExecutiveProducer - Marion Bénet, RecordingEngineer, SoundEditor - Louise Burel, Producer - Robin Rieuvernet, MixingEngineer

2024 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France 2024 Opéra National de Bordeaux

7
Die Walküre, WWV 86B, Act I: Love Duet No. 1 - The Incestuous Tryst of Sieglinde and Siegmund (Reworked by Joseph Swensen)
Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine
00:05:40

Richard Wagner, Composer, Lyricist - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher - Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine, Orchestra, MainArtist - Christiane Libor, Soloist, MainArtist - Michael Weinius, Soloist, MainArtist - Joseph Swensen, Conductor, Arranger, MainArtist - Didier Martin, AAndRAdministrator, ExecutiveProducer - Marion Bénet, RecordingEngineer, SoundEditor - Louise Burel, Producer - Robin Rieuvernet, MixingEngineer

2024 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France 2024 Opéra National de Bordeaux

8
Die Walküre, WWV 86B, Act I: Spring Follows the Winter Storm - Siegmund Acquires His Name and Sword (Reworked by Joseph Swensen)
Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine
00:13:35

Richard Wagner, Composer, Lyricist - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher - Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine, Orchestra, MainArtist - Christiane Libor, Soloist, MainArtist - Michael Weinius, Soloist, MainArtist - Joseph Swensen, Conductor, Arranger, MainArtist - Didier Martin, AAndRAdministrator, ExecutiveProducer - Marion Bénet, RecordingEngineer, SoundEditor - Louise Burel, Producer - Robin Rieuvernet, MixingEngineer

2024 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France 2024 Opéra National de Bordeaux

9
Die Walküre, WWV 86B, Act II: Prelude - Wotan and Frika Argue over Siegmund’s Immorality (Reworked by Joseph Swensen)
Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine
00:03:27

Richard Wagner, Composer - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher - Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine, Orchestra, MainArtist - Joseph Swensen, Conductor, Arranger, MainArtist - Didier Martin, AAndRAdministrator, ExecutiveProducer - Marion Bénet, RecordingEngineer, SoundEditor - Louise Burel, Producer - Robin Rieuvernet, MixingEngineer

2024 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France 2024 Opéra National de Bordeaux

10
Die Walküre, WWV 86B, Act III: Ride of the Valkyries - Brünnhilde and the Valkyries Retrieve the Souls of the Dead Heroes (Reworked by Joseph Swensen)
Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine
00:05:33

Richard Wagner, Composer, Lyricist - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher - Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine, Orchestra, MainArtist - Joseph Swensen, Conductor, Arranger, MainArtist - Salvatore Caputo, MainArtist, MusicalDirector - Didier Martin, AAndRAdministrator, ExecutiveProducer - Chœur de l'Opéra National de Bordeaux, Choir, MainArtist - Marion Bénet, RecordingEngineer, SoundEditor - Louise Burel, Producer - Robin Rieuvernet, MixingEngineer

2024 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France 2024 Opéra National de Bordeaux

11
Die Walküre, WWV 86B, Act III: Wotan’s Grief over the Disownment of Brünnhilde, He Summons Loge to Set Fire to the Mountain Brünnhilde is to Rest (Reworked by Joseph Swensen)
Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine
00:05:57

Richard Wagner, Composer - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher - Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine, Orchestra, MainArtist - Joseph Swensen, Conductor, Arranger, MainArtist - Didier Martin, AAndRAdministrator, ExecutiveProducer - Marion Bénet, RecordingEngineer, SoundEditor - Louise Burel, Producer - Robin Rieuvernet, MixingEngineer

2024 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France 2024 Opéra National de Bordeaux

12
Die Walküre, WWV 86B, Act III: "He who Fears My Spear, May not Pass this Fire" - Only the Bravest Hero Will Free Brünnhilde (Reworked by Joseph Swensen)
Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine
00:04:22

Richard Wagner, Composer, Lyricist - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher - Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine, Orchestra, MainArtist - Joseph Swensen, Conductor, Arranger, MainArtist - Derek Welton, Soloist, MainArtist - Didier Martin, AAndRAdministrator, ExecutiveProducer - Marion Bénet, RecordingEngineer, SoundEditor - Louise Burel, Producer - Robin Rieuvernet, MixingEngineer

2024 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France 2024 Opéra National de Bordeaux

DISC 2

1
Siegfried, WWV 86C, Act II: Prelude - The Dragon’s cave (Reworked by Joseph Swensen)
Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine
00:04:13

Richard Wagner, Composer - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher - Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine, Orchestra, MainArtist - Joseph Swensen, Conductor, Arranger, MainArtist - Didier Martin, AAndRAdministrator, ExecutiveProducer - Marion Bénet, RecordingEngineer, SoundEditor - Louise Burel, Producer - Robin Rieuvernet, MixingEngineer

2024 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France 2024 Opéra National de Bordeaux

2
Siegfried, WWV 86C, Act II: "Du holdes Vöglein" - Siegfried and the woodbirds (Reworked by Joseph Swensen)
Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine
00:02:15

Richard Wagner, Composer, Lyricist - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher - Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine, Orchestra, MainArtist - Michael Weinius, Soloist, MainArtist - Joseph Swensen, Conductor, Arranger, MainArtist - Didier Martin, AAndRAdministrator, ExecutiveProducer - Marion Bénet, RecordingEngineer, SoundEditor - Louise Burel, Producer - Robin Rieuvernet, MixingEngineer

2024 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France 2024 Opéra National de Bordeaux

3
Siegfried, WWV 86C, Act II: Siegfried Battles Fafner the Dragon (Reworked by Joseph Swensen)
Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine
00:01:06

Richard Wagner, Composer - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher - Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine, Orchestra, MainArtist - Joseph Swensen, Conductor, Arranger, MainArtist - Didier Martin, AAndRAdministrator, ExecutiveProducer - Marion Bénet, RecordingEngineer, SoundEditor - Louise Burel, Producer - Robin Rieuvernet, MixingEngineer

2024 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France 2024 Opéra National de Bordeaux

4
Siegfried, WWV 86C, Act III: Prelude (Reworked by Joseph Swensen)
Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine
00:02:59

Richard Wagner, Composer - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher - Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine, Orchestra, MainArtist - Joseph Swensen, Conductor, Arranger, MainArtist - Didier Martin, AAndRAdministrator, ExecutiveProducer - Marion Bénet, RecordingEngineer, SoundEditor - Louise Burel, Producer - Robin Rieuvernet, MixingEngineer

2024 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France 2024 Opéra National de Bordeaux

5
Siegfried, WWV 86C, Act III: "Ewig war ich" - Brünnhilde Accepts Siegfried’s Love and Renounces the Glory of the Gods (Reworked by Joseph Swensen)
Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine
00:04:24

Richard Wagner, Composer, Lyricist - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher - Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine, Orchestra, MainArtist - Christiane Libor, Soloist, MainArtist - Joseph Swensen, Conductor, Arranger, MainArtist - Didier Martin, AAndRAdministrator, ExecutiveProducer - Marion Bénet, RecordingEngineer, SoundEditor - Louise Burel, Producer - Robin Rieuvernet, MixingEngineer

2024 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France 2024 Opéra National de Bordeaux

6
Götterdämmerung, WWV 86D, Prologue: Sunrise (Reworked by Joseph Swensen)
Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine
00:03:05

Richard Wagner, Composer - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher - Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine, Orchestra, MainArtist - Joseph Swensen, Conductor, Arranger, MainArtist - Didier Martin, AAndRAdministrator, ExecutiveProducer - Marion Bénet, RecordingEngineer, SoundEditor - Louise Burel, Producer - Robin Rieuvernet, MixingEngineer

2024 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France 2024 Opéra National de Bordeaux

7
Götterdämmerung, WWV 86D, Prologue: Love Duet No. 2 - Siegfried’s Flight into the Wilderness (Reworked by Joseph Swensen)
Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine
00:11:48

Richard Wagner, Composer, Lyricist - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher - Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine, Orchestra, MainArtist - Christiane Libor, Soloist, MainArtist - Michael Weinius, Soloist, MainArtist - Joseph Swensen, Conductor, Arranger, MainArtist - Didier Martin, AAndRAdministrator, ExecutiveProducer - Marion Bénet, RecordingEngineer, SoundEditor - Louise Burel, Producer - Robin Rieuvernet, MixingEngineer

2024 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France 2024 Opéra National de Bordeaux

8
Götterdämmerung, WWV 86D, Prologue: Brünnhilde Urges Him to Keep Their Love to Mind (Reworked by Joseph Swensen)
Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine
00:05:53

Richard Wagner, Composer - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher - Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine, Orchestra, MainArtist - Joseph Swensen, Conductor, Arranger, MainArtist - Didier Martin, AAndRAdministrator, ExecutiveProducer - Marion Bénet, RecordingEngineer, SoundEditor - Louise Burel, Producer - Robin Rieuvernet, MixingEngineer

2024 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France 2024 Opéra National de Bordeaux

9
Götterdämmerung, WWV 86D, Act II: Hagen Summons the Gibichung Vassals to War (Reworked by Joseph Swensen)
Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine
00:02:50

Richard Wagner, Composer, Lyricist - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher - Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine, Orchestra, MainArtist - Joseph Swensen, Conductor, Arranger, MainArtist - Derek Welton, Soloist, MainArtist - Didier Martin, AAndRAdministrator, ExecutiveProducer - Marion Bénet, RecordingEngineer, SoundEditor - Louise Burel, Producer - Robin Rieuvernet, MixingEngineer

2024 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France 2024 Opéra National de Bordeaux

10
Götterdämmerung, WWV 86D, Act III: Prelude - The Rhine Maidens Urge Siegfried to Return the Ring to the Rhine (Reworked by Joseph Swensen)
Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine
00:03:40

Richard Wagner, Composer - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher - Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine, Orchestra, MainArtist - Joseph Swensen, Conductor, Arranger, MainArtist - Didier Martin, AAndRAdministrator, ExecutiveProducer - Marion Bénet, RecordingEngineer, SoundEditor - Louise Burel, Producer - Robin Rieuvernet, MixingEngineer

2024 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France 2024 Opéra National de Bordeaux

11
Götterdämmerung, WWV 86D, Act III: Siegfried is Murdered by Hagen (Reworked by Joseph Swensen)
Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine
00:05:37

Richard Wagner, Composer, Lyricist - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher - Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine, Orchestra, MainArtist - Michael Weinius, Soloist, MainArtist - Joseph Swensen, Conductor, Arranger, MainArtist - Salvatore Caputo, MainArtist, MusicalDirector - Derek Welton, Soloist, MainArtist - Didier Martin, AAndRAdministrator, ExecutiveProducer - Chœur de l'Opéra National de Bordeaux, Choir, MainArtist - Marion Bénet, RecordingEngineer, SoundEditor - Louise Burel, Producer - Robin Rieuvernet, MixingEngineer

2024 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France 2024 Opéra National de Bordeaux

12
Götterdämmerung, WWV 86D, Act III: Siegfried Dies and is Carried Away (Reworked by Joseph Swensen)
Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine
00:06:42

Richard Wagner, Composer - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher - Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine, Orchestra, MainArtist - Joseph Swensen, Conductor, Arranger, MainArtist - Didier Martin, AAndRAdministrator, ExecutiveProducer - Marion Bénet, RecordingEngineer, SoundEditor - Louise Burel, Producer - Robin Rieuvernet, MixingEngineer

2024 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France 2024 Opéra National de Bordeaux

13
Götterdämmerung, WWV 86D, Act III: Brunnhilde takes the Ring from Siegfried's Hand and Lights Her Funeral Pyre (Reworked by Joseph Swensen)
Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine
00:10:31

Richard Wagner, Composer, Lyricist - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher - Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine, Orchestra, MainArtist - Christiane Libor, Soloist, MainArtist - Joseph Swensen, Conductor, Arranger, MainArtist - Didier Martin, AAndRAdministrator, ExecutiveProducer - Marion Bénet, RecordingEngineer, SoundEditor - Louise Burel, Producer - Robin Rieuvernet, MixingEngineer

2024 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France 2024 Opéra National de Bordeaux

14
Götterdämmerung, WWV 86D, Act III: Brunnhilde's Immolation and the World is Consumed in Flood and Fire (Reworked by Joseph Swensen)
Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine
00:08:37

Richard Wagner, Composer, Lyricist - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher - Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine, Orchestra, MainArtist - Christiane Libor, Soloist, MainArtist - Joseph Swensen, Conductor, Arranger, MainArtist - Derek Welton, Soloist, MainArtist - Didier Martin, AAndRAdministrator, ExecutiveProducer - Marion Bénet, RecordingEngineer, SoundEditor - Louise Burel, Producer - Robin Rieuvernet, MixingEngineer

2024 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France 2024 Opéra National de Bordeaux

Album review

Various attempts have been made over the years to condense the 16-hour bulk of Wagner's cycle of four Ring operas to concert length. Even Wagner himself, needing money, took a shot at it. Generally, this involves vocal greatest hits or instrumental excerpts, but this one, from the Orchestre National de Bordeaux Aquitaine and conductor Joseph Swensen, is more unusual in mixing the two. The program is devised by Swensen, who sticks to Wagner's notes except for a few percussion strokes. Does it work as an introduction to the Ring? One might note that the booklet, although it includes texts, doesn't have any kind of summary of what is going on in these operas, something that might be useful for newcomers. There are three singers, Christiane Libor, Michael Weinius, and Derek Walton, covering a total of six roles, and all are competent Wagnerians, although the conductor and orchestra lack the flash of groups more central to the tradition. The best feature is that Swensen does capture the dynamic of this giant artwork, at least insofar as it is possible to do so, while eliminating 87 percent of it. He sacrifices some of the vocal "greatest hits" (there is no "Liebestod," for example) in favor of instrumental-vocal combinations that suggest the scope of the thing, and this will be good for new listeners. Many of the act Preludes are included, and they are followed by pieces that seem to pick up the action, so to speak. Sample the Act III Prelude of Siegfried and Brünnhilde's subsequent "Ewig war ich" romantic number for an idea. The sound from the orchestra's own Auditorium de Bordeaux is clear enough, and listeners without days to invest in the Ring Cycle may wish to check this out. The album made classical best-seller lists in the autumn of 2024.

© James Manheim /TiVo

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